The Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of the most popular benefits among the military community, and its use is on the rise. Nearly 500,000 people took advantage of the benefits in 2012, which was a 13 percent jump from the year before. Yet, while the bill has helped many servicemembers complete degrees after leaving the military, some have been charged out-of-state prices at public universities, which could drastically increase expenses. In an effort to stop the practice, legislation is making its way through Congress, reports Military Times.
First house, then Senate
The push to take action against public institutions charging out-of-state prices began earlier in May, when a bill known as GI Bill Tuition Fairness Act, made its way through the House of Representatives. The law would require public universities to offer in-state prices if they want to receive payment from the GI Bill, which is often a boon for the school's that do. If implemented, the bill would not go into effect until the summer of 2015.
There has been a similar movement in the Senate, where the Veterans' Educational Transition Act looks to accomplish a similar goal. According to the publication, there is one small difference, however: The Senate measure would require veterans to use their benefits within two years of separating from service to get in-state tuition. They would also have to reside in the specified state during their enrollment.
Widespread support
Revising how schools bill their servicemember students is an important cause among many lawmakers, especially longtime Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. He introduced the Senate bill and said it's important for schools to offer in-state tuition because of how soldiers often do not know where they'll be stationed.
"Given the nature of our armed forces, servicemembers have little to no say as to where they serve and where they reside during their military service," Sanders said. "When transitioning servicemembers consider what educational institution they want to attend, many of them choose a school in their home state or a state where they previously served."
A big help
Making it easier for servicemember to afford school can help take a bite out of the unemployment rate among veterans. By reducing obstacles, troops may be better able to attain certification and licensing that can help them land jobs once they leave the Armed Forces.
With thousands of veterans slated to separate from service in the coming months and years, many of them will be looking for new employment opportunities. It's an issues that has attracted a considerable amount of attention from both legislators and private companies, and it turns out there is one industry that is particularly popular among servicemembers – railroads. An estimated 25 percent of all railroad employees are veterans and the trend is expected to continue, according to The Associated Press.
A longstanding relationship
Veterans and the railroads have a relationship that dates back well over 100 years. In fact, Civil War veterans played an integral role in the construction of the country's railways in the 1860s and 70s. Servicemembers are well suited for railroad jobs for a number of reasons. For one, they gravitate toward jobs that have a similar structure to the military, and with excitement, a specific mission and a chain of command, railroad jobs certainly offer just that. Furthermore, given the demanding nature of serving in the military, vets are used to jobs' sometimes arduous tasks and long hours. The camaraderie is also something that draws veterans to the railroad.
"It's a proud company with a proud heritage – very similar to the military," Sandy Suver, who left the Navy in 1998, told the AP. "The similarities are uncanny sometimes."
Solution to unemployment?
Unemployment among post-9/11 veterans has captured a lot of attention in recent months. The April report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the rate has dropped to 7.5 percent, but it had previously stood higher than the civilian population. With many troops expected to come home in the next several months, there is still work to be done. Looking for jobs in industries such as the railroad, emergency medical services and other areas that utilize the skills vets learned during their time in the military has become a priority.
Companies commit to hiring troops
A number of private organizations have been actively recruiting servicemembers, and the most recent company to do so is Prudential. Through its VETnet program, the insurance giant has been reaching out to qualified servicemembers looking to smooth their transition from active duty to civilian life.
Over the last several years, record keeping at Washington, D.C.'s Arlington National Cemetery has improved dramatically, and now experts across the country are trying to do the same on military installations. Known as the Army National Cemeteries Program, the initiative seeks to upgrade operations to better organize the records of more than 40,000 graves, reports The Fayetteville Observer.
The process has already begun at North Carolina's Fort Bragg, where officials were working diligently to create digital records of each tombstone at the base's cemetery. It certainly is not an easy job, however. Aside from taking a picture of each headstone, workers have to cross-reference them against thousands of records to ensure the information is correct. Despite the arduous task, those participating are happy to lend a hand.
"It helps minimize any stress on grieving families who want to pay respects to their heroes," Army Spc. Barry Cunnings told the newspaper.
Arlington National Cemetery should serve as the shining example of electronic record keeping. After criticism, officials at the cemetery worked to better categorize the hundreds of thousands of graves on site. Today, the entire landmark has a searchable database that allows visitors to know exactly where their loved one is buried through click of the mouse, NPR reports.
Transitioning from active duty to civilian life is difficult for many soldiers, but the challenges may be especially steep for wounded warriors. Having to adapt to a drastically different lifestyle, all while managing the wounds of war – whether they be emotional or physical – is something few people can fully understand. A new program known as Sentinels of Freedom aims to help injured troops overcome some of these obstacles and has seen considerable success so far, Florida Today reports.
An all encompassing approach
While there are many services available to transition soldiers, few are quite as comprehensive as Sentinels of Freedom. The program, which helps veterans through many of the common obstacles – including finding a home, continuing education and managing their health – costs about $100,000 for each soldier. While it's a steep price, the expenses are covered by donations from local residents and businesses. It also connects troops to veterans who managed to make a smooth transition in a mentorship program. This was the case for Ernso Auguste, who contacts veteran Brian Laughlin regularly for advice.
"I want to see him in a position to have the skill sets to get gainfully employed and be able to support his family," Laughlin told the newspaper. "We talk all the time. He bounces things off me. We help him make certain decisions."
A decade in the making
Sentinels of Freedom was launched in 2003 when California native Mike Conklin was inspired to help others after his son was injured serving in Iraq. The first soldier Conklin and his organization helped was Cpl. Jake Brown, who was injured while serving in Germany. In the years since, the nonprofit has helped more than 115 soldiers all across the U.S.
Wide array of services available
Private organization such as Sentinels of Freedom are certainly a useful tool for servicemembers transitioning into civilian life, but the Department of Defense has been working on improving its transition assistance programs as well. The recent redesign was announced in July 2012 and includes a number of features better suited to the most recent group of veterans. Colloquially known as Transition GPS, the program focuses primarily on helping separating servicemembers land a job once they enter the civilian workforce.
The employment report for the month of April contained good news for much of the country. An estimated 165,000 jobs were added to the economy, bringing the overall unemployment rate to 7.5 percent – its lowest in four years. But the findings were particularly positive for members of the military community. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that the unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans also dropped to 7.5 percent, Military Times reports.
Big improvements
While the civilian unemployment rate dipped just 0.1 percentage point, young veterans enjoyed a much more significant reduction. In March, the rate for that demographic stood at 9.2 percent. Some speculate that the improvement stems from the fact that young veterans make up a small portion of those sampled by the BLS, but it's hard to discount the substantial efforts made by both public and private organizations to help the most recent group of veterans find jobs.
White House plays big role
First lady Michelle Obama has been leading the charge in helping bring down the unemployment rate, largely through her Joining Forces initiative. Earlier this week she was joined by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden in calling on private organizations to fully commit to hiring hundreds of thousands of servicemembers and their spouses over the next year.
"Together, we have been partnering to do everything in our power to help our veterans and military families find the jobs they need and deserve," the first lady said from the East Room of the White House recently. "These efforts are about so much more than a paycheck. This is about giving these men and women a source of identity and purpose."
Future will be telling
While the recent figures from the BLS are certainly encouraging, it remains to be seen whether initiatives like those from the first lady and others have a long-lasting impact, especially as the war in Afghanistan draws to a close by the end of 2014. Experts from the Department of Defense estimate that approximately 300,000 troops will separate from service each year for the next several years – and many of them will likely be looking for work.
Addressing the prevalence of suicide among veterans has become a priority for many members of the military community, and a recent report from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) indicates there's more work to be done. The VA inspector general says that as many as one-third of veterans deemed to be at a high risk for suicide do not attend follow-up appointments with mental health professionals, Military Times reports.
The study was based on an analysis of 215 cases reviewed during several months in 2012. Researchers found that 65 of the patients did not have the recommended four visits with a mental healthcare professional in the 30 days after being discharged from the hospital. Making the findings even more troubling is the fact that there was a lack of follow up on the part of healthcare providers even in the case of missed appointments.
The report mentioned that staff failed to document whether their were follow-up attempts for around 8 percent of patients who missed appointments.
This isn't the first time the VA has encountered criticism for the way it treats mental health conditions. In fact, a report released earlier this year determined that veterans seeking mental health treatment have to wait an average of 50 days for an appointment, according to Stars and Stripes.
As the Armed Forces draws down operations in Afghanistan, the need to address mental health concerns comes more into focus. Suicide prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the most pressing matters in the military community, and one senator from Indiana has proposed a new way to address the issue. Senator Joe Donnelly has crafted the Jacob Sexton Military Suicide Prevention Act, a bill designed to require yearly mental heath assessments for active duty troops and reserve members, Military Times reports.
Need for broader approach
Donnelly says that while there are helpful programs available to many servicemembers, sometimes some people fall through the cracks. Furthermore, he says behaviors that could signal someone who is struggling with the effects of PTSD can be missed by peers, coworkers and family members so it's important to have a professional screenings on a regular basis.
"If problems or risk factors are identified, servicemembers would be referred to behavioral health specialists," Donnelly told Congress, adding that these regular screenings could provide servicemembers with a record they can take with them after they've left the Armed Forces to improve their healthcare once they've reached veteran status.
Focus on transition grows
While Donnelly's proposed bill would be a nationwide effort, there are also initiatives taking place on a much smaller scale. For instance, the Army recently opened Embedded Behavioral Health clinics with each brigade on post, reports CBS affiliate WTVF. The program has been particularly effective at Kentucky's Fort Campbell, where the clinics have given soldiers the chance to visit with mental healthcare professionals without having to wait for an appointment.
A substantial need
Whether through proposed legislation or programs on base, addressing the mental health of servicemembers is critical, especially as thousands of troops are expected to separate from service in the coming years. Suicide prevention came to the forefront in 2012 after statistics revealed a record number of servicemembers took their own lives. According to NBC News, more than 349 troops committed suicide last year, a figure which was higher than the total number of servicemembers killed in action. Furthermore, with an estimated 20 percent of troops affected by PTSD, addressing mental health is one of the most important issues facing the community.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the biggest issues facing the military community, and a group of health experts recently shed some light on the best course of action to address the condition. Speaking in front of dozens of onlookers, a group of North Carolina doctors said that PTSD can be managed effectively, but there is no cure, reports the Fayetteville Observer.
The discussion surrounding PTSD is particularly relevant in Fayetteville given its large military community thanks to Fort Bragg. While the revelation that there's no cure may seem like bad news, panelists made sure to point to the fact that many of the symptoms of PTSD can be managed with support from the medical community and soldiers' family members.
"Support them," Molly VanDuser, a national certified counselor, told those in attendance. "That way, when (soldiers) get back, you'll have a pulse on them."
Aside from support, there are other ways for troops with PTSD to mitigate their symptoms. For instance, members of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., have turned to a holistic approach that focuses on physical and mental wellness to combat the condition, according to The Leaf Chronicle.
Transitioning from military service into civilian life poses a number of challenges, not the least of which is finding a job. The Department of Defense (DOD) has placed a heavy emphasis on making this process a bit easier, and one of its latest efforts is Hero 2 Hired, a website launched in 2011 that provides a place for job seekers to post their resumes for prospective employers, Army News Service reports.
Since its inception by the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, the website has been a popular tool. An estimated 109,000 soldiers have made use of the site, while more than 12,000 employers have visited to look for potential employees. Col. Rob Yost, director of Transition Strategic Outreach, says that the website can help highlight the many skills soldiers develop during their time in the military.
"In the infantry [and in other military occupational specialties], soldiers learn the value of teamwork, know how to lead a group and value mission accomplishment," he told the news source. "These are highly sought-after skills in corporate America."
Hire 2 Heroes is one of many initiatives meant to help bring down the unemployment rate among post-9/11 veterans, and several of them have paid off. However, the rate still sits at 9.6 percent – more than 1.5 percent higher than the civilian population.
Wounded warriors can follow a number of different paths toward recovery, but adaptive sports are one of the most popular options. From basketball to lacrosse, slight variations on sports have helped many injured troops regain their physical strength after sustaining serious injuries, and experts say they have also been an effective way to heal emotional wounds, reports the Army's official website.
Much of this recovery takes place at Military Adaptive Sports Program (MASP) which is located at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The program is open to all wounded and ill troops, and offers opportunities to participate in a wide variety of activities including cycling, running and swimming. While the physical benefits are certainly substantial, officials say the program goes well beyond lowering blood pressure and managing weight.
"Mentally and emotionally, service members benefit from the camaraderie and support of a team environment and participation allows them to focus on contributing to a team's success," Amanda Kelly, Adaptive Sports site coordinator, told the website.
Adaptive sports have also proven to be particularly affective at managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and traumatic brain injuries, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).